psychology life review

GUIDELINES FOR THE LIFE REVIEW PROJECT

Adapted from Cutler & Johnson, University of Vermont

Life review can facilitate reflection and reconstruction of a life story, resolving their past conflicts, and accepting present conditions. This assignment asks you to interview an older relative or acquaintance (40+). Start thinking about whom you would like to interview as soon as possible, and reach out early. If you do not have someone that you could interview, please let me know as soon as possible.

The interview process can take several hours (you may want to schedule more than one meeting with your chosen older adult). Please make sure that the person you choose to interview fully understands the nature of the assignment and willingly agrees to participate. I encourage you to offer to let the person read a draft of the interview questions (or at least themes/examples) before the interview process, and be sure to let them know it is for a class and not a research study.

This project will allow someone in your family, friend, or acquaintance an opportunity to reflect on their life (an important adult developmental process!) and provide you with an opportunity to get to know that person as an individual with a unique personal history. The interview/paper can also serve as a "legacy" (e.g., given to family members or others for posterity).

This document includes suggestions for the life review interview, a summary of evaluation components for the project (in written form), a grading rubric for the final paper, additional suggestions for the analysis section, and some example questions for a life review. Please ensure that you consult the grading rubric prior to submitting your work – I have aimed to be very clear in my expectations, so that you can plan your paper accordingly. If anything is unclear, please post your questions on the discussion forum and/or email me. I am also available to provide feedback during office hours.

Suggestions for the life review interview:

Allow sufficient time for the process of data gathering (several hours )

Recording the interview over zoom may be helpful, but some people might be intimidated by the process. Let the person being interviewed make that decision. If you take notes, aim to be as accurate as possible, as you will probably want to include some quotations in your write-up.

Assure the person being interviewed that they may decline to answer any question or to request that an answer be deleted at a later time.

You have two different types of questions--topical and broad or specific and chronological (see attached information). I hope you will allow the person you interview to choose which type of questions they want to answer.

Because you will be discussing old and perhaps poignant memories, be prepared for emotions to surface. This is normal. Allow the person time and support. You don't need to fix anything or feel guilty for asking the question.

Be empathic and nonjudgmental. Remember that the person is honoring you by sharing their life story.

There may be a tendency for the conversation to wander during the interview. Do your best to stay focused, but remember, this process is very important to the older person. As much as possible, allow the interviewee to dictate the flow of the interview.

Please thank the person! You can also offer to let them read the transcript and final paper.

Please write a "thank you note" to your respondent for helping you with this assignment.

Summary of Evaluation: 35% of final grade

Life Review Questions – 5%

Completed interview transcript – 5%

Life Review Final Paper – 25%

Life Interview Paper should be approx. 10-15 pages, double spaced, + refs

Abstract - 250 words max, structured (5%)

Intro (10%)

Introduction should be approx. 1-1.5 pages (10%): explain what Life Reviews are, why they are important (e.g., benefits) etc. Explain the difference between life review and reminiscence. Make sure to cite appropriate research.

Interview Summary (25%)

The interview summary should be approx. 4-6 pages long (25%). You may use direct quotations, as well as providing a summary of the info. Even though you may want to address many of the questions/answers that you covered in the life review interview, you will need to be selective in what you choose to include in your paper. Present it like a story!

Interpretation/Analysis/Relation to course (40%)

The interpretation/analysis should be approx. 4-6 pages long (40%) – should include your interpretation and analysis of the content of the interview.

How can you relate that person’s life to the material discussed in class lectures, your readings, and the gerontological perspective, in general?

Use the language and theories of gerontology in your write-up.

How can you use the course content to interpret or explain what you described in the interview?

Be creative!

What you learned & Conclusion (10%)

Finish with a conclusion, summarizing the project, as well as noting learning outcomes. That is, as a result of doing this project, what did you learn (1-1.5 pages) (10%):

About the person you interviewed?

About your family?

About yourself? Did this process have any impact on how you think about older adulthood? Or how you will approach your own development?

Appropriate subheadings & APA format (5%)

Include appropriate subsection headings throughout, and adheres to APA format. Please use APA 7 Professional (not student). You can find instructions here: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/apa_sample_paper.html

General formatting/clarity (5%)